Continuing...

Our date was great. It was a much needed time alone to remind us of the very basic things of love and life. It was good. Oh yeah, and the food was also amazing!

Now, as goes with everything else, I had hardly heard of mononucleosis before and this week I have been bombarded with all sorts of information about it. My doctors' instructions have been to eat well, take a multi-vitamin, drink plenty of juice and rest as much as life (a.k.a. two little girls) allow it. I can't tell you how hard it is to draw the line and stop myself when the past few weeks I have been pushing through the exhaustion. I sort of conditioned myself to live with this tiredness and still function 100%.

I am blessed with a wonderful natural and church family who have pitched in to help even more than I thought I needed. However, after having this cold on top of everything and nursing the girls through the cold, sleep has been very elusive and light and the help has been more than welcome.

From a wonderful sister-in-law who, with her own littles in tow came to sow a morning of her already busy life to relieve me from my house duties, to a great friend who delivered the best home made pizza I'd ever had, to even more friends who have made themselves available "on call" to come to the rescue as needed. How good it is to dwell in harmony with our brethren, indeed! The body of Christ is an awesome body to be a part of. And of course, I could never leave out my sweet man who is trying to cover the rest of the meals and needs of the girls.

The funny thing is that besides the cold, I don't really feel all that sick. I am mostly tired... I had never felt this tired before... I can't even describe it. I'm zapped of all energy by mid morning! I can take many naps during the day and still fall asleep at night! I don't even know how I have managed to stir out of my slumber to take care of little girls who have needed soothing through the night. And so goes our little life.

When it rains...

Boy, does it pour! The short version:

**Tuesday, I find out I have "mono" and I have been living with it for the past few weeks. We are relieved to know the reason behind my excessive fatigue and hopeful that enough rest should have me on the bend in no time. Ben needs to go to the doctor for some digestive inconveniences.

**Wednesday, Adriana didn´t sleep very well, therefore I didn´t either. Hopefully I will catch up on sleep through the day... (yeah, right!). By noon, I realize I have a massive cold and with the lack of sleep the night before I feel even more run down. And, of course, the girls have the cold as well.

**Thursday, 2.30 a.m. No, we didn´t get up this early. We just never went down last night in spite of multiple attempts. Now we have both girls in bed with us, they can´t sleep because of all the wonderful sneezing and running of noses. Ben needs to leave by 7.00 (or some insanely similarly early time) for some test scheduled as a result of the earlier doctor´s appointment. I have a pounding headache because of my own maladies. Stop to think/pray: "Ok, Lord, where is the grace for this? I´m for a hefty serving!"

8.30 a.m. Girls and I wake up from the slim rest we got last night. Ben is gone to his test. **sigh of relief** She is coming over for some help and company (both for me and the girls!). Looking forward to that.

12.30 p.m. Ben is not back yet from his appointment. However, the girls and I have had a lunch and are now watching a movie (the girls, I am obviously getting some computer time) in preparation for nap time. I know Ben is due home any minute so I´m giving him some time that we can see him before naps. Thanks to our company I can now see my floor AND it is clean! (Thank you sooo much, Dee) and we also got to visit and chat a little bit.

Now I am looking forward to a special date we were planning on having for some time now. We didn´t expect to take it in the midst of all this sickness and exhaustion but will probably still benefit from the time together (not to mention the food!). Somehow we will find the energy to pull it off... don´t you think?

Ohhh yeah, I almost forgot...

Her first time on a swing!!!

A few firsts around here....

She now faces the front! She still doesn't love the car seat.

but she likes it better!

Her first very own ice cream cone!

a bit messy...

but just perfect for her!!

Home

From the moment we got married we wanted to have a house. We wanted a big enough space that we could open to people, you know the unannounced drop-ins, the planned dinner parties, the guests over a meal, and all that fun stuff. I can't tell you how blessed we are to now have that space and all of the above! It is so good to fellowship with others and share food, laughter, and so much more. It is amazing how these kinds of things make people connect and bond. It is the perfect soil for friendships to be born and lessons to be learned. And so it is that with the busy-ness of the summer time of this first summer in a house, we have had anywhere from 2 to 10 people for some kind of meal this week alone. Tuesday we had a couple for dinner, Wednesday we had a family of three for dinner, Thursday we hosted a small birthday party for a young lady and today we had a young man over for breakfast! Monday was the only day we didn't have someone over! And although we are tired, I can confidently say we are thrilled... this is exactly what we wanted!

The weekend holds a different kind of socializing for us. At least this one. With church meetings both days, I will also attend some kind of ladies' social gathering both days while the girls spend some time with Papi. And somewhere in between we need to squeeze in the regular family and budget meetings we normally need to have!

It´s official!

They are getting married!!!!

Adriana

My baby just turned ten months two days ago. This is a couple days late, I know... sorry. What can I tell you about her... She has the most expressive eyes ever! Her smile is beautiful and her personality intense. Let me share with you a little about her:

::Her most favorite person in the world continues to be me. Contrary to her sister who was (and still is) more of a Papi's fan, Adriana's happiness is completely dependent on my presence. Her face lits up when she sees me and that makes this mama beam with joy! Although it gets a bit trying to do absolutely everything with her in arms, the look in her face is priceless and there's a secret pleasure in knowing that her cry can only be calmed by me.

::She is walking, walking, walking... she is much more quick than Elena ever was and far more determined and focused. Adriana has absolutely no delight in being restrained in any way (car seat, high chair, stroller, back pack, carrier, you name it, she doesn't like it!). She loves to move around, thus you'll find her some times walking laps around the living room just because. There's no purpose or direction, she is just walking.

::She is also discovering how to climb into, out of, and over things. My baby is so tiny that the tub seat that is supposed to work with their own weight to keep their legs in the seat does absolutely nothing for her. Therefore, I can't just sit her there and bathe her sister without constantly checking to make sure she is still sitting there. She is also very quick so it only takes one second of my convincing Elena to let me pour water down her head for Adriana to stand on the seat and lean over it to reach a toy that has escaped her grasp.

::Eating isn't something she's greatly interested in, especially because it requires for her to be strapped into the high chair. If I make her sit through a meal, she won't be the baby that sits there contentedly eating her cheerios or bits of food put on her tray. She'll sweep them off and sit there but squirm and scream for as long as it will take you to finish the meal and pick her up. Yes, she is very determined... she does know what she wants and she wants it right now.

::And so it is that though I knew this baby's personality was going to be "edgy" and intense, I discover every day just how much more intense it can get. I tell her constantly that the Lord blessed her with an amazing strength of character that we need to learn together to "reign it in" and submit it to the Lord for the fulfillment of His purpose in her life.

Projects

Now that my hubby has seen it all, I can freely show some of my "While you were out" completed projects. I won´t post all of them because there are some, like the clean ceiling of our upstairs bathroom (no more mildew growing on it), that aren´t as appealing to look at. I don´t have before pics for all of them, but here you go:


+ Both the curtain rod and curtain are new. I realize that the blue alone is quite bright, but it is still an improvement from either the original plain white, or the light blue (that was really lavender) that we put on it last year ! Ohh, yeah, and we brought out the TV into this room since our "family room" upstairs doesn´t look like it´s going to be ready any time soon.+ This little mirror "thingy" was left behind by them in the entryway of our upstairs apartment. I just transferred it to the entryway of our downstairs AND adjusted it to our height!
+ The valance in the window is new.
+ Out little sign welcoming Papi home!
+ Before: (This is actually even before our first moving down)
+ After:
+ Before:
+ After:
+ Before:
+ After

These are the most dramatic changes Ben found. We did paint the downstairs bathroom but it is such a light shade and small room that no picture can make it be appreciated. This is what kept me busy while my sweet man was away. I have so many amazing ladies (and some great gents too!) to thank for all this! Thanks for all your help!

Off we go...

to the airport, to pick my honey up!!!

Tomorrow

A promise, a joy completed... tomorrow he comes home. Most of the things I wanted to get done got done, some remain on the list waiting for a better day, but then again, the list kept growing as the days went by and I got more ideas, so I am satisfied. We had a great time with the girls, of course, we had challenges, but we are fine.

It has been a week of growth and rediscovery. I have found, once again, that the grace of the Lord is available for each day and that all I need to do is tap into it. I have found, once again, that He is faithful to provide for your every need, even the emotional ones. I have found, once again, that He is also faithful and loving to provide for your every desire. And as my love for my Father has been refreshed, so has the love for my girls and last but not least the love for my husband. I can honestly say that I miss him. I don´t miss what he does around here, I miss him. It seems as a very basic thing, but I think I needed to realize it afresh!

I can´t wait until tomorrow!

Counting days

Well, my girls and I have kept busy so as to make Papi's time away go faster for us. I can't go into detail as I have not yet been assured that my sweetie is not reading this (so honey, if you are reading this, don't even ask!) ;o) Suffice it to say that I have given myself "little" goals to look forward to each day and, so far, I'm very happy and excited with the results. I'll go into details further along!

On another note, I have been learning that the place where my heart is when I minister to my daughters plays a significant role on the kind of day we have. When I'm focused and rested in the Lord, when my spirit is in tune with His, I am a nicer mom to deal with! The girls respond better and even the difficult moments of the day go by without taking away my peace. I forget that my peace has to be Him and not my surroundings. I forget that I bring His peace into my surroundings. I forget that my babies are only babies and depend on me to show them how to find His peace in the midst of life's chaos.

So much to learn... and such a loving Father to teach us!

He's gone...

My sweet man is gone for the longest we've ever been apart since we got married. A week! I know, I know, some of you wonderful ladies out there have probably weathered more than I have. But what can I say? I admit I've been spoiled. At any rate, my "survival" strategy for this week is to keep busy. I have a few projects I want to have done by the time he gets back and most definitely will try to make of it a special time with the girls too.

Happy Birthday "Pita"!!!

Honoring my mother´s birthday!



¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Mami! ¡La amamos!

What a Day!

You know it's going to be a good day when

*you get a phone call at 9:00 a.m. telling you they are on their way to the hospital,

*prayer meeting is exceptionally good when your friend receives prayer and words of encouragement, impartation and destiny,

*by the time prayer meeting is done you find out their baby has been born! (good short labor!)

*you know someone will get a surprise,

*you get to hold in your arms the sweet new baby and see again the joy in parent's eyes. There is nothing like a new baby!

*friends get together to work on said surprise

*you watch how God delivers answers to prayer, fulfillment of promises and desires of hearts through the surprise

*you are reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness throughout the day

*you find yourself shedding tears of joy several times through the day

*you go home, count your blessings and cry again at the goodness of our Father!

Happenings

Well, I can't even begin to tell you how busy our life has been these past couple weeks, but it's been good. A lot of thinking and a lot of pondering on the walk of Christianity as we continually interact with people in the ministry. But it is too much to explain right now. So while my mind is clear enough, I'll leave you with these images of my loved ones:

**"It's a non-contact sport," I've been told time and again as Ben heads out to play ultimate frisbee. However, I have learned that such words mean nothing at all when it comes to my sweet husband. Now, this wasn't frisbee, mind you, it was basket-ball--another safe sport. Oh well, the running joke is that I have a good right hook!
**This little girl surprised us yesterday when we came back from church. As I was getting them out of their pretty dresses into their play clothes Elena kept saying: "Mami, nena potty!" I figured I'd humor her (I haven't lost hope) so I took her to the bathroom. Not only did she let me take her clothes off, but her diaper as well. Then, she sat down and after a few minutes of sitting and reading a book, lo and behold, she was jumping up and down exclaiming: "I did it!, I did it!" From there on it's been a very, very unintentional-led-by-her training. I offer and if she accepts we try, if she doesn't we let it pass. Though every time she does go she is so excited about saying "bye,bye" and waving as the toilet is flushed and then celebrating "Yay! nena!" that maybe that'll prove enough motivation. We'll see!
**My now nine-month-old baby girl's favorite activity is walking laps around the room. She walks, and walks, and walks, I think, so as to perfect her new acquired skill. Of course, nursing is still her main sustenance and, truthfully, aside from a few bites off our food at meal times, she hadn't been all that interested in eating much. Now, that led to a rather awkward time at her doctor's appointment yesterday, as for some reason they insist on my trying to get her to eat because "she needs to get it in her mind that she won't always eat from Mom," whatever. She is still my most favorite sweetest tiniest walker ever!


**And one last shot of my two sweeties wearing their Easter dresses, just for fun!

Getting antsy

Well, it is just about that time of year when I feel like I've outlived our present arrangements and a desperate need for change starts to creep in. I just mean in the way our house is furnished and distributed right now. Granted, we are on a very limited budget right now and we can't really afford any projects.

Our "family room" which is supposed to go in our old kitchen upstairs was supposed to be done over the winter. Come spring time, we were hoping to move our TV and some kind of seating up there thus freeing up the space down here for an office. Having the TV and the computer in this room throughout the winter ended up being a good idea because it provided for a smaller space to heat where the girls could bring their toys in and pretty much everything could be done in here. We have electric heat and it gets pricey to attempt to heat every space in the house. However, here we are... mid April already and the "family room" is but a collection of boxes with books from the old living room, plastic tubs with our winter wear, suitcases that upon moving were without a place and are hoping to go up in the attic some day, cupboards that were taken down just to take a look at the wall behind them--leading us to--two walls' upper halves stripped of said cupboards and displaying nasty, old wall paper, bare walls. And that is what we walk through to use our main bathroom upstairs and our bedrooms.

We have no curtains, anywhere... the girls' room didn't really get past the painting stage, the bathrooms are still waiting for their fresh paint, and boxes upon boxes of stuff await to be unpacked and organized somewhere in this dwelling. You know how it is... you can't do one thing until you do this other one, but then again, that one can't really be done yet because it needs for this other one to be done as well.

Now, mind you I am not complaining but merely realizing that my projects will take longer in being completed than I hoped for, but that's ok. There are things far more important than having all I think I need and if God hasn't provided for it, I probably don't need it quite yet.

I will, however think of re-arranging the things I do have for a fresher look and maybe a more efficient distribution... off I go.

This is the Scoop

I am working on translating a book. Back when I said yes, we thought it would be a good idea to brush up on my skills and make a bit of money. However, by the time I got the book, well I haven't caught up with life yet. So, long story short, I am working like crazy to finish and if I'm not nursing a baby, feeding us, kind-of cleaning the kitchen, changing diapers and seeing to immediate little girl needs, I am taking every other minute to sit in front of the computer and work as much as the next situation that needs tending to arises. Movies have been playing non-stop, meals have been kept to the bare minimal and I feel like my house will fall apart. All that to say I am ever so grateful for the opportunity of being a stay-at-home mom and not having the need to go out and work everyday. My heart goes out to those moms who need to go out and work and can't stay home and tend to their little ones. I certainly do not want to add more work to my work load, but above all things, I don't want to be home and not be there for my little family!

There she goes...

I will be happier...

* the morning we wake up without any hoarse voices, runny noses and unhappy little people.

*the day I get dressed in the morning and my clothes don´t look like I´ve been wearing them for weeks after just a couple hours of little noses rubbing against them.

*the temperature outside is at least 50o and we can breathe some fresh air without feeling like we´re about to freeze.

*the morning that goes by normally with no added sadness and crying spells of little girls who feel so sick they don´t know what they want.

ughhh!

One of those weeks

Boy! Do I feel like a palm tree that has just withstood a hurricane! Yet when I look back at my week there aren't really many BIG things, just a bunch of little tiny things that, this week, have just added up to too much for my liking! We have dealt with fevers, bugs, messes, meetings, teething, tantrums, and the list could go on, and on. And though I know I could glean some wisdom from some of my experienced mom friends it is just too much to go into detail right now.

All that being said, though, I feel the need to remind myself afresh of the things I have to be thankful for so I can keep my perspective (and my sanity! ;o) he,he) .

**Above all things I am deeply thankful for the most amazing sacrifice that brought me life! "Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe!" And, of course, in light of such an sacrifice of love, I feel ridiculous even thinking that my week was "hard".

**If that hadn't been enough... Is there anything more reassuring than knowing that the God you believe in, the God you love, the God you trust is LORD above all things! Not some things, all things. That means all those things I cannot control. That means the times I don't know what to do, not only does He know what needs to be done, He also know why I don't know and will be loving enough to "inform" me as I need to know. All I have to do is trust.

**I am thankful for the opportunity of learning more about being good stewards, not only of our spiritual gifts, but also of our finances and resources. Financial Peace University has come very timely for us and though it has been tricky to make it all work, we feel like we now are telling our every Dollar what to do for us and how. We were already budgeting, had been, actually for quite a while, but there's always room for learning and improving and this has been an awesome opportunity.

**How could I not be thankful for a wonderful man who is committed to be by my side on my bad days as much as my good days (and still loves me after my bad days!). As time goes by and we continue to seek God's purpose and vision for our little clan, we realize how truly "meant for each other" we are. Not that I ever doubted it, but we are amazed at times at how God had all the bases covered when He brought us together!

**And then there's my two little rays of sunshine. The most difficult of days fades away at the sight of their smiles and the touch of their little hands. Both of them love to snuggle, which makes for many a pretty crowded night in our bed, but it is just wonderful to wake up at around 5.00 a.m. to the sound of little feet on the carpet and a little sleepy girl who wants to climb up on our bed and finish her night with us. Once settled between the both of us, she'll stretch her little hands so as to touch us both, and if we happen to be too far, she distributes herself "hand and feet" accordingly. And she even goes as far as to try to be also touching Adriana if she happens to be in bed with us as well! Adriana takes on her own little role when Elena fails to wake us up, and then there's the loving slapping on my face to let me know she's awake. Oh... I would fill this space with the delicious stories of my sweet babies, but I'm sure you get my point and I don't want to bore you.

**What else? A roof over my head, food on my table, clothes on my back, loving friends and family who not only love but support us... need I go on? No, I think this little heart has had enough to realize it wasn't such an awful week after all.

Happy Easter to all!!! He is risen! Can anything else matter more?